Ni-Cad batteries

I got one of these solar chargers recently for whenever I'm off grid but found out by accident that it can repolarise, or revitalise ni-cads which my mains charger claims are dead

After 6 to 12 hours in this solar charger the mains charger can work with them again, it takes AA and AAA batteries only

I presume that it's the trickle effect that tickles them back into life

Ady1. I have some 600 MAh nicads that have been on continuous charge for the last 15 years (an experiment) using an Ace SUPER Smart Charger. It is a pulse charger.

The main problem with nicads (apart from venting when overcharged) is dendrites, nasty little filaments that grow between the electrodes so an occasional blast with a high current pulse blows them away.

I have some electron microscope photos of dendrites but unfortunately unable to publish them here.

Solar chargers are the way of the future, I use a solar brick to recharge my phone and drone r/c when in the bush.

* Danny M *

One of the most annoying things with Ni-Mh etc is the single battery discharge when in use

So out of 3 only one discharges in a small torch for example, two are still at 100% when the torch fails

I have an Imax B6 charger, I've used it to recover up to 90%+ capacity of old NiCad/NIMH cells (not with success every time, as yo might expect) by cycling them. It will automate up to 5 discharge/recharge cycles but it can take three or four before a cell starts to respond and up to ten before the capacity starts to stabilise.

Ady are these branded batteries from reputable suppliers?
Many fake about and had same with 18650's where one would die whilst the others were still 70% full of charge.

A good link for those that need good batterys outside of AA, AAA etc https://www.ecoluxshopdirect.co.uk/
Use one of their 4 way chargers as well.

Never tried discharging more than once but as a last resort have zapped Dewalt NiCad batterys with a mig to no effect.